Police Rescue Six Kidnap Victims, Recover Weapons In Nationwide Operations

The Nigeria Police Force says its operatives have rescued six kidnapped victims and arrested several suspects in a series of operations across eight states.

The operational successes, recorded between 17 and 18 August 2026, also led to the recovery of firearms, ammunition, an explosive device, a stolen vehicle and other exhibits.

In Enugu State, police operatives patrolling the Port Harcourt Expressway engaged five armed hoodlums who had abducted three people and stolen a vehicle.

The suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled following the encounter, while the three victims were rescued unharmed.

Police recovered a locally fabricated pistol, a cut-to-size firearm, ammunition, a magazine, hand gloves, a face mask and the stolen vehicle.

In a separate operation in Enugu, three suspects were arrested during raids on suspected criminal hideouts in Awgu and Oji-River Local Government Areas.

Two AK-47 rifles, 55 rounds of live ammunition, three magazines, an explosive device and three machetes were recovered.

In Ebonyi State, police intercepted a suspected kidnapping syndicate at Ebebe Junction, Abakaliki, shortly after a victim was abducted.

The victim was rescued unharmed, while one suspect was arrested and three others escaped.

Operatives also recovered a Toyota Camry allegedly used by the syndicate and two mobile phones.

In Plateau State, one suspect was arrested following a deadly attack in Mangu Local Government Area.

The Commissioner of Police and senior officers visited the affected community to assess the situation, while additional security personnel were deployed to prevent further attacks.

Police also reported repelling a bandit attack along the Sabuwa-Marabar Yakawada Road in Katsina State.

Tactical operatives engaged the attackers in a sustained gunfight, forcing them to withdraw. No death or firearm loss was recorded.

In Yobe State, one suspected armed hoodlum was neutralised and another arrested after police responded to an attack in Fika Local Government Area.

Bows, arrows, a cutlass and a bag containing charms were recovered.

In Abia State, police arrested a 55-year-old man allegedly attempting to vandalise rail tracks along the Aba-Owerri railway corridor.

A pump-action gun, vehicle, metal cutter, two machetes and a mobile phone were recovered.

Meanwhile, in Ogun State, armed robbery suspects fled after police responded to distress calls in Atan-Ota.

An abandoned backpack containing a mobile phone, iPad, electric pressing iron, earpod, clothes and medication was recovered.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anie Iniedu, said the operations reflected the police’s continued commitment to protecting lives and property.

The Police said investigations into the various incidents were ongoing through the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments.